Short & Mason was the main supplier of barometers to the Army & Navy Co-operative Society stores at the turn of the century and were usually branded as such.

However, this particular example does not have any Short & Mason branding, and the addition of a serial number suggests it was more likely to have been made during the last quarter of the 19th century by James Joseph Hicks, who was the most prolific maker of barometers in the country at that time.

The silvered dial is engraved "Compensated A & N, C. S. L. 5148" and has a barometric scale range from 21 to 31 inches, in addition to an altimeter scale ranging from zero to 10000 feet.

The case is made of gilded brass and in excellent condition, with no denting and virtually all of its gilding intact.

A nice clean pocket barometer with a chip free glass, it's in full working order, (it also passes the plastic bag test), weighing just under 120 grams in its case and measures 50mm diameter by 17mm in depth.

It comes with its original silk and velvet lined case, which although showing some age related wear and a later replacement button, is in good condition with both hinge and catch in working order.